(MOMBASA, KENYA) – The iconic elephant tusks in central Mombasa, often a starting point for protests, remained unusually quiet on July 7, 2025. In contrast, the bustling Saba Saba intersection was filled with the usual hum of matatus, street vendors and pedestrians. Yet, few paused to think about the meaning behind this familiar location’s name.
Behind the activity lies a deep connection to one of Kenya’s major moments in its history of democratic struggle. Whether the name Saba Saba came from a Tanzanian holiday, a pub, or the July 7, 1990 demonstrations for multiparty democracy, the area has become a recognised symbol especially each year around this time of the country’s ongoing push for civil liberties and political reform.
On 7 July 1990, thousands of Kenyans took to the streets to challenge President Daniel arap Moi’s one party rule. Their demands for political pluralism marked a main turning point in Kenya’s democratic journey. Although Nairobi’s Kamukunji Grounds were the centre of those protests, their spirit extended across the nation, including to Mombasa.
In Mombasa, the intersection known as Saba Saba links the city’s central business district to Ronald Ngala Road heading toward Nyali Bridge, and Jomo Kenyatta Avenue leading to Makupa Causeway. At the mention of “Saba Saba”, this spot immediately comes to mind for many residents.
There are various explanations for the origin of the name. Some believe it honours the 1990 protest events. Others think it refers to a local bar once located there, while older generations link it to Tanzania’s “Saba Saba Day”—a public holiday on 7 July celebrating the formation of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) in 1954.
Mr Abdulrahman Abdalla, a 75 year old resident of Mombasa, said, “I have never given it much thought but I don’t recall this place ever having another name. It has always been Saba Saba since the 1970s.”
His friend, Mr Ibrahim Khamis, also aged 75 and the Kanu Majengo Ward Chairman, recalled meeting there to campaign for the late Shariff Nassir, a prominent Kanu leader, even before the 1990 demonstrations. According to Mr Khamis, a Tanzanian who once owned the bar named it Saba Saba in reference to events in his home country. “It is the bar that gave this location its name. Therefore, the area’s name has its roots in Tanzania’s history,” he explained.
The intersection, once known as a red light district, has since developed into a busy zone of trade, transportation and social life.
This year, organisers of the Saba Saba Day protest in Mombasa chose to start their march from this intersection, rather than from the symbolic elephant tusks where such events often begin. The decision was a conscious one to draw attention to the location’s historical relevance.
“Saba Saba is not just an intersection but a very strategic place. In our last protests, the police wanted us to reroute but we stood our ground and we hope there will be no interference this time,” said Mr Khelef Khalifa, a board member of Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI).
Every year on July 7, Kenya marks Saba Saba Day with rallies, debates and public marches. The Coast region, including Mombasa, has long played a part in the country’s struggle for political rights. In the past, political leaders from the area strongly supported the idea of “majimbo” (devolution), viewing it as a solution to issues such as land ownership, access to education and jobs, and the fair distribution of national resources.
Today, young activists continue to highlight many of the same concerns, including corruption and human rights violations, which they attribute to poor governance.
“It is strange that in this day and age police are still disrupting demonstrations that are constitutionally protected. This is simply dictatorship. Today, it is the people who have power, not the leaders,” said Mr Francis Auma, MUHURI’s Rapid Response Officer.
Police summoned several activists on Saturday ahead of the planned protests. Mr Auma stated that they were interrogated for nearly eight hours over their involvement in organising the demonstrations. Authorities banned the event, citing security concerns.
By 10am on July 7, no protests had started in Mombasa, and activity remained low in the central business district. However, the symbolic weight of Saba Saba continues to be felt as a living reminder of Kenya’s hard fought democratic space.
